When I came out 10 years ago, one of my mother’s biggest fears was that I would be living in a world of injustice and like any mother, she was afraid of how people would treat me. While it hasn’t always been easy, I found that part of what drew me to yoga was the level of acceptance I found in teachers and in the community. No matter where you were in your life or in your practice, yoga met you there.

Every time I step onto my mat, I feel as though I have the opportunity to shed the shell of my identity. As we begin class, we all simply become practitioners of yoga, here to explore the dance of yoga together. It’s not about who we are outside of class: our job, our culture, our identity—we are all here to explore our internal energetic world to see what unfolds and to ultimately realize that in reality we are all the same. As Desikachar once said: “Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.” The more I practice the more I see myself connected to all those around me. Their struggles are my struggles and we become beautiful mirrors for one another. With this awareness of interconnectedness, it becomes impossible for me to judge anyone for who they are.

In very different ways, both my yoga community and my queer community have helped me to embrace who I am and love the differences I see reflected back in others. My hope is that each time I teach, my students have that same experience I have had so many times “its okay to be wherever you are and we are all there together.”

In celebration of Pride, 8 Limbs will be hosting a benefit class the Friday June 25th. The benefit will support our Capitol Hill neighbor, Gay City Health Project (www.gaycity.org), and all donations made during that class will directly support the organization. In addition, Kaladi Brother’s Coffee and Macrina Bakery have been kind enough to donate coffee and pastries for a post class brunch! The class is an All Levels Flow from 9:30am- to 10:45am. Suggested donation is the 8 Limbs drop-in rate of $16, but I encourage you to give whatever you can.

Come celebrate Pride with me and both of my families!

Posted by: Megan Costello

A recent trip to Egypt and the holidays have helped to remind me to daily practice the act of Gratitude:
To enjoy the rainy days in Seattle when water is more expensive than gasoline or requires a two-hour walk in both directions.
To be able to practice Yoga in America in the middle of the week when so many others around the world are simply trying to stay alive.
To choose organic foods when so many people in our country and around the world are starving.
To have a yoga community that encourages and supports the growth of individuals. May we use that support and compassion to find our dharma to improve the world around us.
To count every blessing large and small and always maintain an attitude of gratitude.
As we recognize all we have, we acknowledge all we have to to give. Never for any minute shall we take are lives and opportunities for granted. We are truly blessed. To count these blessings would be a mathematical feat.

Posted by: Marni Yamada

We have a full lineup of Benefit Classes this Thanksgiving to raise funds for local non-profits, all in need of our support. Come join your local studio community on Thanksgiving Day to get grounded in gratitude and your yoga practice.

Capitol Hill: 12:15 – 1:30pm with Paul Millage for Yoga Behind Bars
Phinney Ridge: 9:30 – 11:00am with Chiara Guerrieri for Solid Ground
Wedgwood: 9:30 – 11:00am with Dawn Jansen for Northwest Harvest
West Seattle: 9:00 – 10:30am with Greg Owens for Union Gospel Mission

Cost is sliding scale, suggested donation $20
(memberships and class cards not valid)

Cash and checks directly to non-profit only.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are happy to report that we now have an opening date for 8 Limbs Phinney Ridge. On Saturday, November 21 classes will commence in our beautiful new space, designed by 8 Limbs instructor and interior designer Jenny Hayo.
Come join us on opening weekend and plan to attend our Open House on Friday, December 4th, 4:00 – 8:15pm, featuring free yoga classes and music with Gina Salá. Opening details, class schedule, and list of instructors can be viewed at the Phinney Ridge webpage.

When I first moved to Seattle, I lived on Phinney Ridge in a basement apartment in The Buggé, next to the famous Mae’s Phinney Ridge Café. After growing up in a completely flat city, I loved being able to see two different mountain ranges from this perch between Ballard and Greenlake.
I opened the first 8 Limbs from that little basement apartment in 1996. I was 26 and had a crazy idea that yoga was something people would flock to if we made it accessible and welcoming. It’s been a wonderful 13 years of yoga with thousands of wonderful people. We celebrate 10 years at Wedgwood and 5 years at West Seattle in the next year, and are starting our 8th year of Teacher Training in October (come join us!).
The nature of who I am likes to create and grow, and in May I found myself drawn back to Phinney Ridge on a suggestion to open another 8 Limbs. I am pleased to announce that after a long search, we have just signed a lease to open 8 Limbs Phinney Ridge at 6801 Greenwood Ave North. Our plan is to open in October. Please spread the news to your friends in the Northwest corner of town. We need your help to get the word out! We also need a new manager and yoga advisors (front desk staff). If you are interested in either position email info@8limbsyoga.com for a job description (manager job closes Friday, 8.7.09).
8 Limbs is and will continue to be a group of Seattle neighborhood studios committed to teaching the 8 limbs of yoga in an accessible and inclusive atmosphere. We are proud to be family owned, and strive to create a learning environment for our staff, teachers, and students. Thanks for supporting us in our mission!

Posted by:
Anne Phyfe

P.S. Check out the write-up that appeared yesterday on www.phinneywood.com!